Macbeth

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“If it were —— when ’tis ——, then ’twere well it were done ——.” Act 1, Scene 7

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”

Analyse the quote:
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”

Macbeth contemplates the murder of Duncan, wishing it could be completed without consequence. The repetition of "done" reflects his anxiety and moral hesitation.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”

• Repetition: Emphasizes Macbeth’s obsessive thought process.

• Soliloquy: Offers a deep insight into his conflicted psyche.

• Juxtaposition: Between action (“done quickly”) and consequence (“if it were done”).

Analyse the context in the quote:
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”

Killing a king was regicide—a sin against God and a disruption of the Great Chain of Being, which held that monarchs were divinely appointed.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:

“Is this a —— which I see —— me, the handle toward my —— ?” Act 2, Scene 1

“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”

Analyse the quote:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”

Macbeth hallucinates a dagger guiding him to Duncan. It blurs the line between supernatural influence and internal guilt.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”

• Symbolism: The dagger symbolizes temptation, fate, and conscience.

• Soliloquy: Reflects internal conflict and descent into madness.

• Imagery: Creates a haunting, surreal visual.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”

Ties to Jacobean fears of witchcraft and the supernatural influencing man’s morality.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“O, full of —— is my mind, —— wife!” Act 3, Scene 2

“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”

Analyse the quote:
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”

Macbeth expresses his disturbed thoughts about Banquo and Fleance. The metaphor suggests he is mentally poisoned and obsessed.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”

• Metaphor: "Scorpions" evoke danger and torment.

• Animal Imagery: Suggests creeping, lethal thoughts.

• Tone: Paranoid and urgent.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”

Demonstrates the psychological consequences of unchecked ambition.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Out, ——, brief —— !” Act 5, Scene 5

“Out, out, brief candle!”

Analyse the quote:
“Out, out, brief candle!”

Macbeth compares life to a short-lived candle. His tone is nihilistic, showing his despair and hopelessness.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Out, out, brief candle!”

• Metaphor: Life is fleeting and meaningless.

• Imagery: Vividly represents mortality.

• Alliteration: “Out, out” mimics extinguishing a flame.
  

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Out, out, brief candle!”

Reflects Renaissance ideas about mortality and the futility of ambition when disconnected from morality.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Look like the —— ——, but be the —— under’t.”

Act 1, Scene 5

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”

Analyse the quote:
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”

She advises Macbeth to deceive others with a false appearance.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”

• Metaphor: Biblical allusion to Satan as a serpent.

• Duality/Contrast: Innocence vs. evil.

• Imperative Verb: ‘be’ shows her dominance.
  

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”

Reflects Machiavellian manipulation and the subversion of expected gender roles.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Come, you —— that tend on —— thoughts, —— me here.” Act 1, Scene 5

“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

Analyse the quote:
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

 Lady Macbeth invokes the supernatural to strip her of feminine qualities and gain masculine power.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

• Imperatives: “Come...unsex” shows assertiveness.

• Imagery: Dark and violent.

• Personification: Spirits acting on thoughts.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

Contrasts Jacobean ideals of womanhood—passive and nurturing—with her ambition and ruthlessness.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“A little —— clears us of this —— .” Act 2, Scene 2

“A little water clears us of this deed.”

Analyse the quote:
“A little water clears us of this deed.”

She dismisses the murder’s moral weight, claiming it can be easily cleansed.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“A little water clears us of this deed.”

• Irony: She later becomes overwhelmed by guilt.

• Symbolism: Water as a cleansing agent.

• Foreshadowing: Her later breakdown.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“A little water clears us of this deed.”

Highlights different responses to guilt in Jacobean tragedy.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Out, —— spot! —— , I say!” Act 5, Scene 1

“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

Analyse the quote:
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

Haunted by guilt, Lady Macbeth hallucinates blood on her hands.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

• Symbolism: “Spot” = inescapable guilt.

• Repetition: Reinforces desperation and mental breakdown.

• Exclamatory Tone: Expresses inner torment.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

Represents divine punishment and psychological collapse.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“___ is foul, and foul is ___ .” Act 1, Scene 1

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Analyse the quote:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

The witches introduce a world of moral confusion.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

• Paradox: Challenges moral order.

• Chiasmus: Reversal of expectations.

• Fricative Alliteration: Creates a sinister tone.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Jacobean society feared witches as agents of evil and chaos.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“All hail, —— ! Hail to —— , —— of Glamis…Cawdor…—— hereafter!” Act 1, Scene 3

“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis…Cawdor…King hereafter!”

Analyse the quote:
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis…Cawdor…King hereafter!”

The witches lure Macbeth with layered truths and future promises.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis…Cawdor…King hereafter!”

• Anaphora: Repetition of “Hail” = hypnotic.

• Tricolon: Builds suspense and grandeur.

• Dramatic Irony: Audience knows their words will ruin him.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis…Cawdor…King hereafter!”

Witches reflect belief in predestination vs. free will.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“By the —— of my thumbs, something —— this way —— .” Act 4, Scene 1

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

Analyse the quote:
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

Macbeth has become the “wicked” one; even the witches acknowledge his transformation.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

• Foreshadowing: Macbeth’s arrival.

• Rhyme: Eerie tone.

• Irony: The witches fear what they helped create.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

Highlights Macbeth's descent into tyranny and corruption.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“None of —— born shall —— Macbeth.”

Act 4, Scene 1

“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

Analyse the quote:
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

Gives Macbeth false confidence; he misinterprets the prophecy.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

 Methods:

• Paradox: True yet misleading.

• Ambiguity: Leads to hubris.

• Dramatic Irony: Audience knows more.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

Warns against blind faith in fate and shows manipulation of truth.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
 “If you can —— into the —— of time…speak then to ——.” Act 1, Scene 3

 “If you can look into the seeds of time…speak then to me.”

Analyse the quote:
 “If you can look into the seeds of time…speak then to me.”

Banquo is intrigued by fate but remains cautious and moral.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
 “If you can look into the seeds of time…speak then to me.”

• Metaphor: “Seeds” = potential futures.

• Personification: Time as fertile and mysterious.

• Curious Tone: Controlled curiosity.

Analyse the context in the quote:
 “If you can look into the seeds of time…speak then to me.”

Contrasts with Macbeth’s recklessness; supports theme of fate vs. free will.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Thou —— it now… and I —— thou play’dst most ——for’t.” Act 3, Scene 1

“Thou hast it now… and I fear thou play’dst most foully for’t.”

Analyse the quote:
“Thou hast it now… and I fear thou play’dst most foully for’t.”

Banquo suspects Macbeth gained power through murder.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Thou hast it now… and I fear thou play’dst most foully for’t.”

• Foreshadowing: Hints Banquo may be targeted next.

• Ellipsis: Reflects thoughtful pause.

• Tone: Suspicious, reflective.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Thou hast it now… and I fear thou play’dst most foully for’t.”

Shakespeare flatters King James I, believed to be a descendant of Banquo.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“O ——, horror, ——!” Act 2, Scene 3

“O horror, horror, horror!”

Analyse the quote:
“O horror, horror, horror!” Act 5, Scene 8

Macduff is devastated by Duncan’s murder, showing sincere loyalty.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“O horror, horror, horror!”

• Repetition: Emphasizes emotional shock.

• Exclamation: Intensity of grief.

• Asyndeton: Abrupt delivery.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“O horror, horror, horror!”

Highlights regicide as not just a political but spiritual atrocity.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“Turn, —— hound, —— !” Act 1, Scene 2

“Turn, hell-hound, turn!”

Analyse the quote:
“Turn, hell-hound, turn!”

Macduff denounces Macbeth as inhuman and evil.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“Turn, hell-hound, turn!”

• Metaphor: “Hell-hound” links Macbeth to damnation.

• Imperative: ‘Turn’ assertive, accusatory.

• Religious Imagery: Evokes divine justice.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“Turn, hell-hound, turn!”

Macduff becomes the instrument of restoring the natural and divine order.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“What he hath ——, ——Macbeth hath ——.”

Act 1, Scene 4

“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”

Analyse the quote:
“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”

Duncan rewards Macbeth for his loyalty and courage in battle, but the praise is ironically misplaced as Macbeth later murders him.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”

• Dramatic Irony: The audience knows Macbeth will betray him.

• Juxtaposition: One man's loss is another’s gain.

• Epithet: "Noble" Macbeth emphasizes Duncan’s trust.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”

Reflects the theme of appearance vs. reality and foreshadows Macbeth’s betrayal.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“There’s no —— to find the —— construction in the —— .” Act 1, Scene 4

“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”

Analyse the quote:
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”

Duncan reflects on how he misjudged the former Thane of Cawdor, not realizing he’s doing the same with Macbeth.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”

• Irony: He is again placing trust in the wrong man.

• Metaphor: Appearance vs. reality.

• Foreshadowing: Suggests deception will strike again.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”

Emphasizes human fallibility and the dangers of superficial judgments.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“After life’s —— fever he —— well.” Act 3, Scene 2

“After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.”

Analyse the quote:
“After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.”

Macbeth envies Duncan’s peaceful death, indicating the psychological toll of guilt.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.”

• Metaphor: Death as restful sleep.

• Irony: Macbeth caused Duncan's death.

• Juxtaposition: Duncan’s peace vs. Macbeth’s torment.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.”

Connects to the Jacobean belief in divine retribution and mental torment after sin.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“My ____ Cawdor!” Act 1, Scene 4

“My worthy Cawdor!”

Analyse the quote:
“My worthy Cawdor!”

Duncan praises Macbeth’s nobility, unaware he’s praising his future murderer.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“My worthy Cawdor!”

• Irony: Ironic admiration.

• Foreshadowing: A trusting king’s fate.

• Characterisation: Duncan’s benevolence and naivety.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“My worthy Cawdor!”

Shows Duncan as a virtuous ruler—his flaw is excessive trust.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“O —— cousin! —— gentleman!” Act 1, Scene 2

“O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

Analyse the quote:
“O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

Duncan celebrates Macbeth’s valour after battle, ironically setting the stage for his own betrayal.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

• Epithets: “Valiant,” “worthy” display admiration.

• Irony: Macbeth becomes his killer.

• Juxtaposition: From hero to villain.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”

Highlights the deceptive nature of ambition and the tragedy of misplaced loyalty.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:

“This —— —— and his fiend-like ——.”

Act 5, Scene 9

“This dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

Analyse the quote:
“This dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

Malcolm condemns Macbeth as a violent killer and Lady Macbeth as evil, offering a final moral judgment on their downfall.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“This dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

• Metaphor: “Butcher” reduces Macbeth to a savage killer, stripped of nobility.

• Demonic Imagery: “Fiend-like” links Lady Macbeth to supernatural evil.

• Juxtaposition: Contrasts physical brutality with spiritual corruption.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“This dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

Reflects Jacobean ideals of divine justice—evil is punished and order is restored under rightful rule.

Fill in the blank words in the quote:
“I fear thy ——; It is too full o' the ——of human ——.”
Act 1 Scene 5

“I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness”

Analyse the quote:
“I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness”

Lady Macbeth worries Macbeth is too compassionate to murder Duncan and take the crown, despite being ambitious.

Analyse the methods in the quote:
“I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness”

• Metaphor (“milk of human kindness”) – Suggests gentleness and nurturing, traits she sees as weaknesses.

• Irony – She criticizes kindness, a traditionally admired trait.

• Tone of disdain – Her frustration reveals her dominant role in their relationship.

Analyse the context in the quote:
“I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness”

Challenges Jacobean gender roles; Lady Macbeth rejects expected female passivity and urges Macbeth toward regicide, shocking to a patriarchal audience.

What is the Divine Right of Kings and why is it significant in Macbeth?

The belief that kings were appointed by God. Killing Duncan breaks this divine order, leading to chaos

Why were witches feared in Shakespeare’s time?

Witches were believed to consort with the Devil and manipulate nature. King James I’s Daemonologie condemned them.

How does Shakespeare challenge gender roles in Macbeth?

Lady Macbeth seeks masculine strength and dominates Macbeth, defying patriarchal expectations.

What does "blood" symbolize in Macbeth?

Guilt, violence, and conscience. It stains both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, symbolizing their crimes.

Why is Banquo important in the play?

He serves as a moral contrast to Macbeth. Shakespeare honours King James I by portraying Banquo as noble.

What is meant by Machiavellian?

Cunning, scheming behaviour used to maintain power, regardless of morality.

What is meant by Witchcraft and Superstition?

Belief in supernatural influences on human affairs.

What is the Great Chain of Being?

The Elizabethan belief in a strict hierarchical structure of all matter and life, with the king at the top under God.